Kashmir shuts down for Sheikh Aziz

Responding to the call by pro-freedom camp, Kashmir observed a complete shutdown on Tuesday to pay homage to the slain separatist leader and executive member of Hurriyat Conference (M), Shaheed-e-Azeemat, Sheikh Abdul Aziz, who was killed during the Muzaffarabad Chalo on this day last year. Dozens of senior pro-freedom activists were put under house arrest while several other activists were arrested to foil public rallies at Eidgah and Pampore.
All shops, business establishments, banks and educational institutions remained closed throughout the day while normal work at government offices was affected in the city and elsewhere across the valley. Public and private transport services were off the roads on most routes.
Sheikh was killed at Chahal Boniyar in Uri area of north Kashmir’s Varmul district when he was leading a massive procession towards Muzzafarabad. The march was to break the month long economic blockade of Kashmir by Shri Amarnath Sangharsh Samiti, spearheading the agitation in Jammu over land transfer row.
Authorities had made heavy deployment of police and paramilitary CRPF in old city and other areas though there were no restrictions on civilian movement.
A complete shutdown was observed in Kulgam, Islamabad, Shopian and Pulwama districts of south Kashmir. The strike call evoked total response in north Kashmir districts of Varmul, Bandipora and Kupwara where normal life remained disrupted. Reports of stone pelting were received from Sopur and the adjoining areas in the morning.

CRACKDOWN ON SEPARATISTS
To foil the congregational Fateh Khwani at the grave of Sheikh Aziz at Eidgah here, several activists of Hurriyat Conference (M) were put under house arrest since yesterday evening. They include the acting chairman and chief spokesman of the party, Prof Abdul Gani Bhat, Bilal Gani Lone, advocate Shahidul Islam, Aga Syed Hasan Al Mousvi Al Safvi, Javaid Ahmad Mir and Zamrooda Habib of Muslim Khawateen Markaz.
Dozens of activists led by Mukhtar Ahmad Waza, however, managed to reach Eidgah in the morning where they offered congregational Fateh Khwani.
A senior Hurriyat (M) activist Shahidul Islam told Greater Kashmir that police raided the party headquarters at Raj Bagh and arrested five activists.
“They were preparing for participation in the public rally at Pampore. One dozen party activists led by Zafar Akbar Bhat were arrested near Qamarwari when they were moving towards Eidgah. Besides, over a dozen activists including brother of Sheikh Aziz, Sheikh Abdul Rashid, who were on their way to Pampore, were arrested near Dalgate,” he said.
The spokesman of Hurriyat Conference (G), Ayyaz Akbar, said party activist, Firdous Ahmad Shah, was arrested from his Abi Guzar residence this morning while as Fareeda Behanji was put under house arrest last evening.

RALLY AT PAMPORE
Amid restrictions, a delegation of Hurriyat Conference (G) activists led by the acting chairman of Tehreek-e-Hurriyat, Pir Safullah, reached Pampore where they addressed a public gathering. The delegation also visited the house of Sheikh Aziz to express solidarity with the family.

KAC HOMAGE
Meanwhile, Kashmiri American Council and Kashmir Center paid homage to Sheikh Abdul Aziz. In a statement executive director, Kashmiri American Council and Kashmir Center, Dr Ghulam Nabi Fai, said Sheikh Aziz was a popular leader. “He was gunned down because he wanted to remind the world about the right of self-determination of Kashmiris,” he said.